Computing
Curriculum Aims & Vision
Students understand a wide range of computer science, IT and digital media concepts including practical programming, become competent users of IT and have strong digital literacy skills, can use computational thinking skills to solve problems, can apply IT skills to a wide range of problems, have a knowledge of IT careers and where IT is used in industry and commerce and understand how to stay safe when using IT.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum follows the aims of the national curriculum for Computing and ensures that all students:
• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
The structure of KS3 is set out in the learning journey document. At Gartree High School we use Scratch, Small Basic and Python across KS3 as our main programming languages. In Year 9, we commence with two taster units for each of our KS4 pathways.
Key Stage 4
We offer two pathways at KS4 – GCSE Computer Science and Creative iMedia
Course: GCSE Computer Science (J277)
Exam Board: OCR
Final Assessment: Two 1 hour and 30-minute written exams taken at the end of Year 11
Paper 1: Computer Systems - 80 marks (50%)
Paper 2: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming - 80 marks (50%)
Curriculum Overview
Studying Computer Science will encourage students to:
understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation
analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs using the Python programming language
think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and wider society
apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.
Further details can be found at this link:
Course: Cambridge National in Creative iMedia Level1/Level2 (J834)
Exam Board: OCR
Final Assessment: One 1 hour and 30-minute written exam, plus two NEA (Non-Examined Assessment or coursework)
Curriculum Overview
This course is aimed at students that would like to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills that would be used in the media industry.
The content of this course includes:
developing visual identities for clients
planning and creating original digital graphics
planning, creating and reviewing original digital media products.
The qualification will also help to develop learning and skills that can be used in other life and work situations, such as:
thinking about situations and deciding what is required to be successful
exploring different options and choosing the best way forward to a solve problem
exploring and generating original ideas to find imaginative solutions to problems
selecting the best tools and techniques to use to solve a problem
appropriate use of media to convey meaning
use of planning techniques to complete tasks in an organised way which meet deadlines.
Further details can be found at this link:
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/creative-imedia-level-1-2-j834/qualification-at-a-glance/